Alex Anthopoulos reveals Braves will land 3 trades this winter to replicate Chris Sale blockbuster

The Red Sox’s decision to trade Chris Sale to the Braves, covering nearly a year’s worth of his salary, remains a contentious topic among fans. Once a Cy Young contender, Sale’s dominance faded due to a series of injuries that limited him to just 48.1 innings from 2020 to 2022 and inconsistent performances in 2023. Despite these struggles, Sale rebounded with the Braves, winning the pitching triple crown and possibly a Gold Glove, while the Red Sox missed the playoffs. Adding to fans’ frustration, Vaughn Grissom, who came to Boston in the trade, has struggled to live up to expectations and responded harshly to criticism in July.

With the Braves facing potential rotation gaps as Max Fried and Charlie Morton enter free agency, GM Alex Anthopoulos could be in the market for reinforcements. Although Ian Anderson and Spencer Strider provide some stability and AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep add depth, the Braves’ shallow farm system and Anthopoulos’ cautious approach to the luxury tax may limit big-ticket acquisitions.

Anthopoulos might aim for an overlooked starter who could provide quality innings without a major financial commitment, similar to the Sale deal. Such a target could be a veteran on an expiring deal or a young arm with untapped potential, providing rotation support at a manageable cost while fitting the Braves’ budget-conscious strategy.

3. LHP Jeffrey Springs

Jeffrey Springs presents an intriguing case as a potential trade target for the Braves. Originally struggling as a reliever with the Rangers, Red Sox, and Rays, Springs found new life as a starter in 2022. That year, he put up a remarkable 2.46 ERA over 135.1 innings, with 144 strikeouts and just 31 walks, making 25 starts out of 33 appearances. However, injuries derailed his momentum, limiting him to only 49 innings combined over 2023 and 2024.

With the Rays in a rebuild phase—having already moved Jason Adam, Randy Arozarena, Tyler Glasnow, and others—there is speculation, per Nick Deeds of MLB Trade Rumors, that more starting pitchers could be on the trading block. Springs’ track record suggests that durability may be a concern; he has only exceeded 44.2 innings once, during his breakout 2022 season. While his effectiveness as a starter is evident, his ability to sustain that over a full season is unproven.

For the Braves, Springs could offer an affordable, high-upside addition to the rotation, similar to their acquisition of Chris Sale. Under contract through 2027 with a club option, he’s set to earn $36 million over the next three seasons, making him a cost-effective option for a team looking to stay under the luxury tax threshold. At 32, Springs provides a combination of experience and proven talent, though he comes with the same risk of durability concerns that plagued Sale.

2. RHP Drew Rasmussen

Drew Rasmussen offers a cost-effective alternative to Jeffrey Springs for teams seeking rotation help. Like Springs, Rasmussen’s promising 2022 season, where he posted a 2.84 ERA with 125 strikeouts over 146 innings, showcased his ability as a starter. However, injuries have since limited his workload, with only 73.1 innings pitched across 2023 and 2024.

Since returning from the IL in 2024, Rasmussen has been used as a reliever and opener, performing well with a 2.83 ERA over 28.2 innings. His fastball velocity ranks in the 90th percentile, averaging 96.9 mph, and his ERA has stayed below 2.84 every season since his debut in 2020.

Durability is a concern, as it is with Springs, but the risk with Rasmussen is less financially demanding. The 29-year-old is set to earn around $3.3 million in 2025, entering arbitration in 2026 and becoming a free agent in 2027. This contract structure makes him an appealing, low-cost option for teams looking to add a quality arm without a major commitment.

1. RHP Alek Manoah

Alek Manoah, a former top contender in the AL Cy Young race, could be an enticing low-cost option for the Braves. After impressing in his debut year with a 3.22 ERA in 2021 and following it up with a stellar 2.24 ERA and 180 strikeouts over 196.2 innings in 2022, Manoah has faced significant challenges since then.

In 2023, he struggled with a 5.87 ERA and was sidelined in 2024 due to a shoulder injury, only to be shut down again with an elbow issue after just five starts, during which he managed a 3.70 ERA. Despite his recent struggles and injuries, Manoah represents a potentially high-reward comeback candidate.

At 26 (turning 27 in January), he is projected to earn about $2.3 million next year before entering arbitration in 2025, making him an affordable investment. However, his trade value will largely depend on the Blue Jays’ needs. With pressure mounting on Toronto to contend for the postseason—especially with key players’ contracts expiring—they might prioritize trades that can bolster their roster while also managing payroll to extend stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Given Manoah’s recovery from Tommy John surgery and uncertainty about his 2025 contributions, he could become a prime target for the Braves, who have minor-league talent ready for promotion. If the Braves can work their magic with Manoah as they did with Chris Sale, they could add another potential ace to their rotation alongside Sale, Ian Anderson, Spencer Strider, and others like Jorge López and the emerging Spencer Schwellenbach. Manoah may come with risks, but his talent and the Braves’ track record suggest that the potential rewards could outweigh those risks.